title: Pregnancy-associated osteoporosis presenting severe vertebral fractures.
abstract: The syndrome of pregnancy-associated osteoporosis (PAO) is a rare disorder which occurs either in late pregnancy or early post-partum period leading to fragility fracture(s), most commonly in the vertebral bodies. We presented two cases with PAO who had compression fractures at multiple levels involving five vertebrae in one case and 10 vertebrae in the other. Their spinal bone mineral density values were below -2.5 standard deviations. Anti-osteoporotic treatments with nasal calcitonin 400 IU/day, vitamin D 300.000 IU single dose, calcium 1000 mg/day, vitamin D 880 IU/day were initiated. In one case, kyphoplasty was performed by a spinal surgeon. In addition to a thoracolumbosacral orthosis, a rehabilitation program including muscle strengthening, range of motion, relaxation and weight-bearing exercises was started for both cases. These cases emphasize that all pregnant women with complaints of back/lumbar pain should be carefully evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Ege University, Bornova-Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cihat
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Funda Calis
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Atamaz
authors.forename: Halil
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Akkurt
authors.forename: Yesim
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Akkoc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D015519:Bone Density; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: fracture; kyphoplasty; osteoporosis; pregnancy